MURFREESBORO — An early morning downpour in Smyrna didn’t dampen the spirits of voters who lined up to cast their votes before work in the Super Tuesday presidential primary.

The line to vote in the presidential and county primary election stretched through the lobby at LifePoint Church in Smyrna as a brief storm rolled through northern Rutherford County.

The dedicated voters were among the many Tennesseans who will cast a ballot along with Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and American Samoa in what’s been termed the Super Tuesday primary.

Voters from across the county were as varied in their choices as in the presidential primary. Bernie Sanders, Marco Rubio and Dr. Ben Carson were favored by voters who responded to exit polls conducted by The DNJ.

Chris Williams and Sitta Rogers, who were heading into the polling station at Christiana, said in unison “Bernie” when asked their candidate of choice.

“We need a change,” Williams said.

Jami Litton, who voted at the Wilson Elementary School precinct, issued a similar sentiment, but about Donald Trump.

“The people who have been in office have had their change. We need something new,” she said. “What we have isn’t working.”

But it is Sanders’ platform that appealed to Sherry Salomon and Diane Bonner, who both voted in Smyrna, and Likeya Williams, who voted at Wilson Elementary.

“I feel like his entire platform, line by line, is everything I believe,” Salomon said.

Bonner said Sanders appealed to her as a black woman.

“Because this race is important with African-American females,” Bonner said. “With the other candidates, we end up not getting a seat at the table.”

Tracy Wade used the same reasoning to cast her ballot for Hillary Clinton.

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From far right, Donna Livingston, with her grandson Carson Livingston, 5, is shown the voting procedure by Mike Liles, as John Hodge, far left, keeps track of the number of voters during early vote on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2016, at the Rutherfoed County Election Commission Annex on Vine Street. Tuesday was the last day for early voting. According to poll worker John Hodge the last 2 days of early voting is always busy.(Photo: HELEN COMER/DNJ)

“I’ve liked her all through his (Bill Clinton’s) presidency. … I have liked her and her policies,” Wade said.

It was more than their policies that grabbed votes for Rubio and Carson, who were picking up the “not Trump” votes in Smyrna.

Steve Olson, who voted at Wilson Elementary, said Rubio was the one candidate left who could beat Trump and who he most aligned with policy-wise.

“I used to live in Florida and was a fan of him there,” Olson said.

Rubio’s policy stance on social issues garnered Marsha Roop’s vote.

“He is the most likely candidate to stand up for the righteous cause and turn this country back toward God,” said Roop, of Smyrna.

But it was Carson’s gentle demeanor, maturity and intelligence that drew in Kurt Bailey, Tina Vestrand and Karen Falkinberry.

“He’s the only one acting like an adult,” Falkinberry said about Carson after voting at the Nissan Activity Center.

Lascassas resident Donna Bobby said she cast her ballot for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz because he seemed to best understand voters.

"He stands for the Christian values I hold dear," Bobby said outside the Lascassas Elementary School precinct.

Some voters shied away from sharing who they voted for in the presidential primary, although others did share feelings about today’s race.

“I’ll share with you who I didn’t vote for and that’s Donald Trump,” said Linda Bloodworth, who voted at the Barfield Elementary School precinct. “I’m extremely concerned. That’s my fear (Trump will win) and that’s why I’m up early, doing my part to not let that happen. But that may be a lost cause.”

Cecelia Andon didn’t share who she voted for, either, but she did admit to voting in the Republican race. She’s also worried about today’s outcome, too.

“There are so many Republicans .. and the candidates are so spread out (with issues they support) I’m afraid we won’t get the best person,” said Andon, who noted that she really liked the platforms of two candidates who already dropped out of the race.

Jerry Chestnut, who voted at Barfield, was quick to share his candidate of choice.

“I voted for Hillary Clinton. She’s the only one I trust,” Chestnut said.

He isn’t too worried about Donald Trump winning the nomination, although it’s been predicted he’ll be the front-runner in Tennessee.

“He’s just buck wild. He’s just having fun, like he would at a basketball game. I don’t think he’ll win. I think he’s creating a lot of excitement right now. And I don’t think he cares about people’s feelings,” Chestnut said. “As far as attacking people of color out there, I think some people are still living in the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, those types of issues. But in the end, I think the right (person) will prevail.”

Staff writer Brian Wilson contributed to this report. Reporter Nancy De Gennaro can be reached at 615-278-5148 and follow her on Twitter @DNJMama. Michelle Willard can be reached at 615-278-5164, on Twitter @MichWillard or Rutherford County Business News on Facebook at facebook.com/DNJBusiness.